December 7, 1920

In re CARLOS S. BASA

PONENTE: MALCOLM, J.:

FACT:

Carlos S. Basa is a young man about 29 years of age, admitted to the bars of California and the
Philippine Islands. Recently he was charged in the Court of First Instance of the city of Manila
with the crime of abduction with consent, was found guilty in a decision rendered by the
Honorable M.V. del Rosario, Judge of First Instance, and was sentenced to be imprisoned for a
period of two years, eleven months and eleven days of prision correccional. On appeal, this
decision was affirmed in a judgment handed down by the second division of the Supreme Court.

The Code of Civil Procedure, section 21, provides that "A member of the bar may be removed
or suspended from his office of lawyer by the Supreme Court by reason of his conviction of a
crime involving moral turpitude.

ISSUE: Whether or not the crime commited by the respondent involves moral turpitude.

RULING:

Yes, the crime commited by the respondent involves moral turpitude. Moral
turpitude includes everything which is done contrary to justice, honesty, modesty, or good morals. It
cannot admit of doubt that crimes of this character involve moral turpitude. The inherent
nature of the act is such that it is against good morals and the accepted rule of right conduct.

RATIO DECIDENDE:
When we come next, as we must, to determine the exact action which should be
taken by the court, we do so regretfully and reluctantly. On the one hand, the violation of
the criminal law by the respondent attorney cannot be lightly passed over. On the other
hand, we are willing to strain the limits of our compassion to the uttermost in order that
so promising a career may not be utterly ruined.